Thomas Dolby – Blinded By Science
By Mark Dohmann
| Label: | Harvest – MLP-15007, Venice In Peril Records – MLP-15007 |
|---|---|
| Format: | Vinyl, LP, Mini-Album, Jacksonville Press |
| Country: | US |
| Released: | 1983 |
| Genre: | Electronic, Rock |
| Style: | Synth-pop, New Wave |
“An original thinker”
Thomas Morgan Robertson (born 14 October 1958), known by the stage name Thomas Dolby, is an English musician, producer, entrepreneur and teacher. He came to prominence in the 1980s, releasing hit singles including “She Blinded Me with Science” (1982) and “Hyperactive!” (1984).
Thomas Dolby has been an original thinker from day one when he released his fun, quirky and innovative blend of pop and electronica in the early 1980’s. Dolby is associated with the new wave movement of the early 1980s, a form of pop music incorporating electronic instruments, but Dolby’s work covers a wide range of musical styles and moods distinct from the high-energy pop sound of his few, better-known commercial successes.
He blended clever video themes and catchy melodic hooks to stand out from the other keyboard orientated artists. He never took himself too seriously either and “dressed up” to standout. More baggy caps and tweed professor style. His father was a well-respected academic and Thomas wasn’t that rebellious.
Dolby was born Thomas Morgan Robertson in London, England, to (Theodosia) Cecil, née Spring Rice (d.1984) and Martin Robertson (1911–2004), an internationally distinguished professor of classical Greek art and archaeology at the University of London, Oxford University, and Trinity College, Cambridge.
In July 1998, Dolby received a “Lifetime Achievement in Internet Music” award from Yahoo! Internet Life. In 2012 he performed at Moogfest and was the recipient of The Moog Innovation Award, which celebrates “pioneering artists whose genre-defying work exemplifies the bold, innovative spirit of Bob Moog”.
In March 2014, Dolby was named Homewood Professor of the Arts at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University. In March 2017, the Peabody Institute announced that Dolby would lead a new four-year undergraduate degree program, Music for New Media, and the first cohort would commence in the fall of 2018.
In February 2018, Dolby was awarded the Roland Lifetime Achievement Award. Dolby has received four Grammy nominations, two each in 1984 and 1988.
One thing that stood out with Dolby’s albums were the mixes were really well recorded and uncompressed (especially on the 12” singles on 45RPM).
Audio quality was always assured on Dolby albums and standard commercial pressings and 12” singles have been enjoyed on many systems since the original release.
Thomas Dolby spoke of his early musical experiences in a 2012 interview: “I sang in a choir when I was 10 or 11, and learned to sight-read single lines, but other than that I don’t have a formal education. I picked up the guitar initially, playing folk tunes—Dylan—then I graduated to piano when I got interested in jazz, listening to people like Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, and so on. The first electronic instruments started to become accessible in the mid-70s and I got my hands on a kit-built synthesizer and never looked back.”
Dolby said he became interested in electronic music because “I’m not a very proficient keyboard player, so the computer became my musical instrument … None of the equipment is essential, though. In a way, I was happier when I just had one monophonic synthesizer and a two-track tape deck”
For the keyboard geeks among us the equipment that Dolby has used on his recordings includes:
- PPG WAVE 2.2
- PPG 360–380 Wave Computer & Sequencer
- Fairlight CMI Series III sampler (Thanks to Aussie Kim Ryrie!!!)
- Moog Micromoog synthesizer
- Roland D-50 synthesizer
- Roland MKS-20 rack-mount synthesizer
- Roland Jupiter-4
- Roland Jupiter-8
- Korg M1 rack-mount synthesizer
- E-MU SP-12 sampling drum sequencer
- Linn 9000 sampling drum sequencer
- Simmons electronic drums
The Golden Age of Wireless
Originally released in the UK and US including the songs “Europa and the Pirate Twins”, “Airwaves”, and “Radio Silence”, the first releases of Dolby’s first solo album, The Golden Age of Wireless (Harvest, 1982) did not include the album’s signature hit, “She Blinded Me with Science”. After the five-song EP Blinded by Science introduced the catchy single, The Golden Age of Wireless was re-released with the single that, combined with its accompanying video, became Dolby’s most commercially successful single, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was released a total of five times, each with changes in song order and included songs, or even including a different version of “Radio Silence” or extended remix of “She Blinded Me with Science”.
Dolby’s debut album, Wireless, peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard album chart. It juxtaposed themes of radio technology, aircraft, and naval submarines with those of relationships and nostalgia. While much of the album’s instrumentation is synthesizers and samplers, the album credits a long list of guest musicians as well, with instruments ranging from harmonica and violin to guitar and percussion.
One Of Our Submarines is an absolute standout track. Thomas Dolby had a relative who had been in WWII Submarine and this one had special meaning for him.
When I hear more modern artists like Public Service Broadcasting featuring radio communications being mixed over music I can hear the influences of Dolby’s earlier works.
This is a way to add a nostalgic element to the music and certainly pleases the inner geek.
Windpower and extended version will basically blow your subwoofers apart and is a way to see how your bass response is able to cope with the generous cut. Flying North is another standout track.
It’s a lot of fun. Catchy pop hooks and great keyboards. It’s unique and hasn’t rusted unlike some of his commercial contemporaries. Your stereo will get a full work out driving this! I make no apologies if your drivers whistle past your ears if you over do it 😉
Track listing
She Blinded Me With Science 5:09
One Of Our Submarines 7:18
Windpower 5:51
Airwaves 5:20
Flying North 5:36